more reviews

as the reviews come trickling in, there are two specific kinds that really floor me: those from friends who i have toured with and those from girls in france. i will give you an example of each.

1. this one comes from steven sather scott of the rock band irving. he called the other day and really slathered on the compliments, but then i stumbled upon this on the amazon site (it's all sic): "i've never written one of these things before but felt compelled to after receiving Ashod Simonians "real fun". the photos Ashod was able to capture are at least as interesting as the many famous and even more forgotten subjects of this cross section of independent musicians on the road. i've had the pleasure of being with Ashod on the road over the last few years, and his pictures bring to life all of the stories, all of the memories, just like they happend yesterday. the reason is, he was there too! he's not just some hired hand to take photos of bands that think they're cool. he has played on stage, and sold merch to no one, and to thousands, and driven the late shift through west texas. Ashod has been paid in beer too! if someone wants to know what it feels like to go on tour... this book is it. all through the glossy eyes of a glorious polaroid!!"

2. and then this! (also sic): "I just wanted to say that I've received your book yesterday and man, this is amazing! The photos are so alive, so funny and beautiful. Even if I don't know all of these people it makes me really wish that I had!
It is also so touching to see some of my favorite musicians just messing around and enjoying themselves (i'm thinking of Elliott and Grandady for example); Plus, for someone like me who've never been to the United States but who's read Kerouac and Agee and is obsessed with music, this is a very, very precious document· I wish one day I'll enjoy myself as much and have some Real Fun! What you've done is just beautiful. It's for unpretentious, spontaneous and passionate things of this kind that I care about living. The music is also amazing, I've been listening to the cd over and over again since yesterday. thank you, cheers from Pelissanne! (France)"

magazine reviews are so booooring next to this stuff. please don't hesitate to keep the words rolling in - aside from the obvious ego-pepping, it really is nice to hear what your experiences are like. i never would've made the kerouac connection, but how rad is that???

should any of you be in chicago next weekend, i will be slinging and signing books out of a little booth at the pitchfork music festival. let's hang out! xo. ashod.